Football: Leaders take a wrong turning

Everton 2 Arsenal

Guy Hodgson

Everton 2

Arsenal 2

The lingering image from this game was that of Arsene Wenger stalking the touchline. Up and down, head earthwards, muttering like a man who had lost his car keys, missed the last train home and had just discovered his shoes were leaking water. His body language screamed "Why?"

On the face of it Saturday was a good day for Arsenal. They gained a point while Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle lost but anyone who was at Goodison will know this was a chance tossed away like yesterday's chip wrapping. Tottenham's match was held up because of an armed robbery, but that was not the only criminal act in the vicinity of a football ground: the Gunners were banged to rights attempting to thrive without due care and attention.

Wenger, who had calmed down by the time he reached the press room, put Arsenal's gross negligence down to tiredness but it is unlikely he was so understanding in the privacy of the dressing-room. "It could have been worse," the manager said trying to grab a morsel of consolation with about as much success as his team had got to grips with Everton in the second half.

After 40 minutes the only chance of a draw appeared to be the half-time raffle. Everton were 2-0 down, had an injury-struck team so young Dave Watson must have thought he had accidentally wandered into the creche when he arrived to get changed, and were looking into both barrels of a hiding. Their revival was stirring stuff but should not have been allowed.

"We lost too many balls," Wenger lamented. "We couldn't cope with the pressure and took too many wrong options." Like forgetting to mark and tackle, for example.

Certainly there was no one anywhere near the hugely impressive 17-year- old Michael Ball when he headed in at the far post to spark Everton's escape after 48 minutes. As for the second goal, seven minutes later, the Arsenal defence stood and watched while Danny Cadamarteri, another too young to get served at the club bar, nearly tripped over the ball before swerving it past David Seaman.

A breathless finale had Arsenal grateful that they had anything to take back to Highbury at all which was ridiculous given the first half. Before the game Everton supporters were taking bets on how many goals they would concede and when Ian Wright struck with imperious ease after 31 minutes the smart money seemed to be on five.

"Resign, Johnson," one irate Evertonian shouted at his chairman, Peter Johnson, but even he was reduced to silence when Wright flicked a glorious pass to Marc Overmars, who chipped over Paul Gerrard. The home fans looked like people about to witness something horrible.

Instead, Howard Kendall infused his players with optimism, changed from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and his team charged at the seemingly lost cause. "I wasn't surprised," Wenger said. "I knew Everton would have a reaction. I thought if we could last 20 minutes without conceding a goal we would win."

They could not and Wenger was left to ponder whether he should rotate his players Ruud Gullit-like to preserve their freshness. Another sloppy display like this and their hopes of Uefa Cup progress will perish against Salonika tomorrow.

Everton, meanwhile, have the tantalising prospect of jam tomorrow if not today. Their team included four teenagers by the finish and, by informed accounts, there are others waiting. "There's a bright future ahead," Kendall said. "These lads will improve with games."

Without the easy option of the long ball to Duncan Ferguson Everton, glory be, played along the floor and looked brighter for it. Energetic, skilful, they were everything they have not been at Goodison this season.

Goals: Wright 31 (0-1), Overmars 40 (0-2), Ball (48) 1-2; Cadamarteri (55) 2-2.

Everton (3-5-2): Gerrard; Bilic, Watson, Ball; Barrett, Grant (McCann, 70), Speed, Oster, Phelan; Stuart, Cadamarteri. Substitutes not used: Southall (gk), Thomas, Connor, Thomsen.

Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman; Grimandi, Adams, Bould, Winterburn; Parlour (Platt, 76), Viera (Garde, 89), Petit, Overmars (Boa Morte, 63); Bergkamp, Wright. Substitutes not used: Manninger (gk), Anelka.

Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).

Man of the match: Speed.

Attendance: 35,457.